I was banded in July 2012. I lost 20lbs prior to surgery, it felt great! I have now had three fills, with 5.7cc in a 10cc band.This past fill really made a difference!

I am still hungry every 2.5 hours though. I feel like I am failing big time! I haven't lost anymore weight since surgery and even gained 4 lbs since my last appointment.

I just feel like I have lost all my motivation. I am an extremely picky eater, which is what got me in this position in the first place. I need to do a little soul searching to kick start my process again.

I am just venting.... thanks for listening!

I have stepped up on drinking Water... I know I wasn't drinking enough. It has helped, it makes me feel better too.

I need to prepare some high Protein Snacks and keep them in the fridge at work when I feel hungry.

That is what helps me so much. I keep the light Laughing Cow cheeses, light string cheese, pistachios, and even 99% fat free lunch meat on hand for a good high protein snack.

I got banded last thursday and total hunger is hitting me today. Can anyone tell me how to feel more full during clear liquids stage. I started the day with a cup of coffee. Its my first one since my surgery. i don't know if this has affected my hunger and energy level. Today I feel sluggish. i'm def going to stay clear of coffee for a while.

I never felt "full" during the liquid diet phase following surgery or fills. [Actually, I never ever felt "full" again the way I did pre-op, because that kind of full is what made me obese.] But I did find that crunching on SF popsicles helped. And I didn't waste my time worrying about how many calories I was consuming. All the SF popsicles and Jello I wanted! Yahoo! When I had to do clear liquids as prep for a colonoscopy a few years ago, I bought popsicles and Jello and had to force myself to eat them. I think I ate a lifetime and a half's worth of that stuff when I was a baby bandster!

thank you! You just helped me put it all into perspective. I think I'm battling with the feeling of "full" and the feeling of "satisfied." My whole life, I've eaten to feel full and now i can't. Its going to be a long hard road of changing habits.

It's very hard when you're battling hunger and trying to lose weight, even harder when you've gone through the Lap Band surgery and are struggling to utilize the tool inside of you without adequate Fluid in the band yet. My heart goes out to you.

When I was where you are, the only way I was able to lose weight despite not having enough fluid in my band was by focusing on calories and portion size, not actual meal times. I knew there was no way in hell I was going to make it 4 or more hours between meals without starving. I also knew that if I allowed myself to get to that starving point, I would start grazing and binging, resorting back to the old behaviors that got me fat to begin with.

So, I timed it so I could eat something every 2 hours, and I did it while staying within my daily calorie allowance and making sure to never eat more than a cup of food per meal. For me, it worked. I was able to survive "bandster hell" and lose weight despite not being in the Green Zone yet.

Hang in there and best wishes to you.

OMG so this is banster hell!! For the first time yesterday i started to regret my decision. I know it is a tool but I did not think it It was going to be so hard and since it is for me right now I might as well just be an a regular diet without it. So today is a new day and I have made the effort to stick to low intake of calories and one cup portions dispite being straving. At least I do not get the guilt along with it. i feel like people forgot to mention this part if the journey.

MissE

I agree with you. I was never advised of this period but without this site I would have given up too. To know that it was not me but something we all go through and others understand had helped me. Hang in there! We will both make it through and reach our goals.

MissE44,

I so agree with you. I have a bf who got the gastric bypass and had to force herself to eat since she was never hungry. I thought id be the same but i was wrong. I must admit i had to take a diet pill today. I already cheated 3 times since my surgery last thursday. It wasn't a terrible cheat, but i did. The pill stopped the hunger. I'm just praying i can make it to my first fill.

MissE44' date='

I so agree with you. I have a bf who got the gastric bypass and had to force herself to eat since she was never hungry. I thought id be the same but i was wrong. I must admit i had to take a diet pill today. I already cheated 3 times since my surgery last thursday. It wasn't a terrible cheat, but i did. The pill stopped the hunger. I'm just praying i can make it to my first fill.[/quote']

It can be difficult before a fill. Almost as if we're at square one...a wing and a prayer. Banded 9/7, my first fill is in two days! It's been a struggle but LBT and MFP gave me soooo much help. The more Protein you eat the less hungry you will be. You also will lose weight on a more steady basis. Have you looked at any food diaries on MFP yet?

I was banded in July 2012. I lost 20lbs prior to surgery, it felt great! I have now had three fills, with 5.7cc in a 10cc band.This past fill really made a difference!

I am still hungry every 2.5 hours though. I feel like I am failing big time! I haven't lost anymore weight since surgery and even gained 4 lbs since my last appointment.

I just feel like I have lost all my motivation. I am an extremely picky eater, which is what got me in this position in the first place. I need to do a little soul searching to kick start my process again.

I am just venting.... thanks for listening!

You got great advice from everyone I just wanted to give you a hug. HUG

It's very hard when you're battling hunger and trying to lose weight' date=' even harder when you've gone through the Lap Band surgery and are struggling to utilize the tool inside of you without adequate Fluid in the band yet. My heart goes out to you.

When I was where you are, the only way I was able to lose weight despite not having enough fluid in my band was by focusing on calories and portion size, not actual meal times. I knew there was no way in hell I was going to make it 4 or more hours between meals without starving. I also knew that if I allowed myself to get to that starving point, I would start grazing and binging, resorting back to the old behaviors that got me fat to begin with.

So, I timed it so I could eat something every 2 hours, and I did it while staying within my daily calorie allowance and making sure to never eat more than a cup of food per meal. For me, it worked. I was able to survive "bandster hell" and lose weight despite not being in the Green Zone yet.

Hang in there and best wishes to you.[/quote']

This is how I did it. I ate about every 2-3 hrs but I try to stay in my calorie limit for the day.

Thank you for the advice. I am going to step it up on the protein drinks since its too early for anything else. I feel so unhealthy eating creamy soups. I tried eating small peices of chicken and veggies but they get stuck and I feel like I have a rock in my throat. I will go on my fitness pal. never used it but will try it now. When you say a cup of food. Does that mean a cup of liquid too? Since I really can't have solids.

Some of the Trader Joes and Pacific "creamy" Soups are actually low in fat and calories. I also like Trader Joes Tom Yum Soup, it is Brothy and light.

I can usually have chicken and veggies in a soup rather than just dry when I'm feeling too constricted.

For liquids I focus on the calories rather than the quantity. Typically each serving is under 200 cals.